By
DR. E. Ndambiri. Prepared on 16/07/2013
Background
Information
The carcass was located on 7/7/2013 but was
suspected to have been poached on 2/7/2013 when two gun shots were heard within
Muhia Course way. For the entire period rangers tireless combed the area and
eventually were able to locate the carcass.
Postmortem
Findings
1. The animal was on sternal
recumbence.
2. The two horns were missing.
Their locations depicted two round scars showing precise excision.
3. The carcass was about a week
old. It was decomposed and partially predated on at the rectal area and withers. Lots of maggot infested the carcass.
4. A track leading to the inside
of the animal on the right chest was observed. It was at middle of eighth rib.
The same rib had a fracture at the same point. The track led to the right
caudal lobe of the lung and penetrated through. From the left side the track
was not picked as it led to the predated area caudally.
5. The carcass was placed on right
recumbence. The left hind limb depicted a compound fracture at the level of
metatarsal joint. The distal parts of tibia and fibular were disintegrated
suggesting they were hit by a projectile.
6. Despite extensive use of metal
detector no bullet head was recovered. Decomposition made tracking of
projectile pathway impossible.
Discussion
Tentatively the animal was rendered
immobile by the fractured left limb coupled with respiratory embarrassment due
to punctured chest organ(s). These ultimately resulted to death due to bleeding
and lack of ventilation.
Conclusion
The rhino died as a result of trauma due to
possibly two gunshot wounds.
Pictorial
Presentation
Fig.
a; Front view of the carcass
Fig.
b; Rear view of the carcass
Fig.
c; Point of projectile penetration
Fig.
d; Probing the penetration point
Fig.
e; Screening for bullet head
Fig.
f; Point of fracture
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